Curriculum

A broad-based curriculum is essential for balanced intellectual development

Pupils study a broad core of compulsory subjects to GCSE (or, in some subjects, IGCSE), including three separate sciences and a modern foreign language. They make guided subject choices principally in Year 9 and Year 10.

We recognise that pupils are individuals, and that they progress at different rates, and require increasingly flexible learning opportunities. Many pupils take advantage of additional or fast-track IGCSE qualifications or other certification. Current opportunities exist in maths, drama, computer science, music, additional modern languages and ICT.

The curriculum is a varied and stimulating introduction to secondary school study, and lays a foundation of effective study skills.

Language Studies is a distinctive feature of the Year 8 curriculum – it reflects our aim to prepare our pupils for an increasingly international future. All pupils study the language and culture of German, Japanese and Italian. From September 2016 Year 7 pupils have taken part in local studies activities, taught by the Head, in which they discover the history and geography of Cambridgeshire.

We encourage students about to join us in Year 7 to take advantage of our online linking project, designed to help them use the time over the summer holidays to bridge the gap between primary and secondary education.

Core

Art

Biology

Chemistry

Computer science

Design and technology

English and drama

Games*

Geography

History

Language Studies (carousel of German, Japanese and Italian in Year 8)

Latin**

Local studies (Year 7 only) – new from September 2016 – involving some local trips during the school day in the summer term

Mathematics*

Modern foreign languages (French* and Spanish *)

Music

Physics

Physical education

PSHE and Emotional wellbeing

Religious studies

*Setted from Year 7 (games is grouped according to ability). Maths is setted from the Michaelmas half term

In Year 9 students pick five options – we ask for at least two languages (one may be classical and at least one modern) in these choices. Studying at least two modern languages in Year 9 allows for a choice in the GCSE Year 10 selection.

Core

Electives

Biology

Ancient history

Chemistry

Art

English literature

Computer science

English language

Design and technology

Games*

Drama (one year course)

Geography

French**

History

German (beginners)

Mathematics*

German (continuers)

Physics

Greek

Physical education

Latin

PSHE

Music

Religious studies

Spanish (beginners)

Spanish (continuers

*Setted (games is grouped according to ability). **Lightly setted.

Optional extension

A wide range of academic societies, the 42 lecture programme with book reward scheme in lower years, reading lists and extension task booklets, Microsoft ICT certification, one year drama option and subsidised extra-curricular GCSEs in Italian, Japanese and Mandarin. From September 2018 Mandarin will also become one of the electives.

In Years 10 and 11, all students study the six core subjects shown in the table below. They choose a further four optional subjects, to include at least one modern foreign language.

In addition, in Year 10, students also choose one of the following options: Year 10 Higher Project Qualification (research), RADA Shakespeare drama certificate, Microsoft ICT certification, PE internal certificate or supervised private study to provide independent study time for other extra-curricular courses. Some pupils study additional maths in Year 11 or take a fast-track GCSE subject over a one year programme in music or computer science.

There is an opportunity for formal communication of academic/pastoral progress each term. In many year groups this consists of two full written reports and one parents’ evening. This format is varied for a few year groups – with an extra parents’ evening replacing one of the written reports. In a term without a full written report, an additional document will be provided for most year groups, consisting of teacher grades, pupil self-assessment and a tutor overview.

The full written report includes grades for organisation, engagement and initiative, and standard of work. These are accompanied by subject teacher comments and there will also be communication with/by the tutor (either written in the report or discussed at the tutorial evening which is intended to have a primarily pastoral focus). On each report there are also written comments from the head of year or section head. The Head or a member of the senior management team reviews all reports and writes a comment on each pupil at least once a year.

A typical annual cycle of reporting/communication for a Perse year group would therefore consist of:

2 full written reports

1 short report with pupil self-assessment

Parents’ Evening with appointments for subject teachers

Tutorial Evening for an appointment with the pastoral tutor

Dates for parents’ and tutorial evenings are published at the start of each academic year and confirmed in the termly calendar issued to pupils on the first day of each term.